Jewish settlers forced from West Bank home

Jewish settlers have been evicted from a home they illegally commandeered in a volatile West Bank city.

Jewish settler stands near Israeli border (Picture: REUTERS)

The group of 15 were forced out of the building in Hebron by Israeli security forces but put up no resistance, police said.

The eviction took place despite Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu asking defence minister Ehud Barak to let them stay while they âmake their legal caseâ.

However, the forces moved in after the settlers missed a Tuesday deadline given to them to prove they had bought the house legally.

âAfter examining all the evidence that was handed over and after considering all the circumstances of the incident, it was decided to return to the situation which existed before,â the military order said.

Earlier reports had suggested the settlers would be allowed to stay until April 25.

Hebron is no stranger to major flashpoints and it was feared the eviction would spark a furious reaction from other Jews in the predominantly Palestinian city.

It is the only place on the West Bank where Jews live in the heart of a city and has been the focal point of Israeli-Arab violence for decades.

Although around 850 settlers live in Hebron, they do so in heavily guarded enclaves, in the midst of a 180,000-strong Palestinian population.